waver
to become weaker or express uncertainty
ephemeral
lasting for a very short time
tender
showing gentleness, kindness
multiplicity
abundance
tranquility
being at peace
exacerbated
aggravate a situation
mortifications
great embarrassment and shame
mollah
An Islamic intellectual and religious leader, often regarded as an authority on history or Islamic law. Sometimes spelled as "mullah".
seraglio
An enclosed house or compound for a single family of a wealthy Persian man such as Usbek. The seraglio is home to his wives, at least one of whom has at least one daughter, and also their female slaves. The only men permitted entry are relatives, Usbek himself, or the eunuchs.
eunuch
A eunuch is a man who has been castrated, generally at an early age. In the former Ottoman Empire and elsewhere, young boys were frequently castrated so as to make them eligible for top political or administrative offices. Lacking the ability to impregnate a woman or to have normal sexual relations, eunuchs were regarded as appropriate bodyguards and servants for women.
rake
A man whose sole occupation, and in some cases his chief source of income, is the seduction of women. Regarded as an immoral pleasure-seeker, a rake is in some respects the male equivalent of a courtesan.
laborious
Characterized by a long period of strenuous effort or labor
pilgrimage
A holy journey of truth-seeking and enlightenment wherein a person travels to a significant site in hopes of gaining spiritual benefit. One of the seven Pillars of Islam is the moral obligation of all Muslims to make such a journey to Mecca. This journey is called "Hajj".
insurmountable
impossible to overcome
vermilion (also spelled "vermillion")
A bright red, with orange undertones as opposed to blue.
chagrin
frustrated, annoyed, and possibly embarrassed due to some disappointment or failure
virtue
positive quality, generally of the human character
infidelity
unfaithfulness, generally in a sexual or romantic context
